(WSIL) -- Many organizations and businesses that were beginning to reopen have had to halt that process due to an uptick in COVID-19 cases.
One of the industries most effected has been nursing and long term care facilities.
While family and friends have not been allowed inside the facilities since the pandemic began, many have been allowing outside visits, so families can see each other in the safest way possible.
But now that cases are trending upwards, these outdoor visits have been temporarily suspended in some areas.
WLC Management Firm owner Scott Stout, who operates 11 of these facilities, says the health of residents and employees must be their top priority.
"We've had to discontinue some of those visits for awhile because we want to make sure that the residents are safe. Because when they're outside they are doing social distancing, but they are one of the most vulnerable populations, so as the cases have risen in some of the communities we've stopped them for a little while and then restart them. But we're always working with the local health departments which are absolutely wonderful to work with," said Stout.
The decision to stop visitations are made on a county by county basis and at the guidance of local health departments.
